US Army adopts modular laser system to cut drone defense costs
The US Army has selected AeroVironment's LOCUST X3, a detachable 30-kilowatt laser, to mount on standard trucks for counter-drone defense. This modular approach aims to reduce per-shot costs to under $10 and improve maintainability. By decoupling the weapon from specific vehicles, the Army seeks to enhance battlefield reliability and protect its air defense investments against emerging drone threats.
Key points
- AeroVironment, a US defense contractor, won an initial manufacturing award in September 2026 for the LOCUST X3, a 30-kilowatt laser weapon designed for the US Army.
- The modular system is engineered to be detachable, allowing it to be transferred between standard military trucks to prevent vehicle maintenance from disabling the air defense capability.
- The weapon targets Group 1 to 3 drones, ranging from 9 kg to 600 kg, with estimated engagement costs between $5 and $10 per shot, according to AeroVironment and trade reports.
- Kirk Williams, Chief Engineer at the Army’s Directed Energy Project Office, emphasized that the shift to modular designs addresses previous reliability issues experienced with fixed laser installations on Stryker vehicles.
- The initiative follows the 2022 reactivation of a laser-armed air defense battalion at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, marking a strategic pivot toward maintainable and repairable directed energy systems for modern battlefields.
The US Army has moved to integrate modular laser technology into its standard logistics fleet, selecting AeroVironment’s LOCUST X3 system to enhance counter-drone capabilities. Awarded in September 2026, the 30-kilowatt laser is designed to be detachable, allowing it to be mounted on ordinary military trucks rather than dedicated, specialized platforms. This architectural shift aims to solve significant maintenance challenges that previously plagued fixed laser installations, such as those on Stryker vehicles.
The primary objective of this modular approach is cost efficiency and operational resilience. AeroVironment estimates that each engagement with the LOCUST X3 will cost less than $10, with some trade reports citing figures as low as $5 per shot. This represents a substantial reduction compared to traditional kinetic air defense systems. The weapon is specifically calibrated to neutralize Group 1 to 3 drones, which span a weight range from 9 kg to 600 kg, covering a broad spectrum of current and emerging aerial threats.
Kirk Williams, Chief Engineer at the Army’s Directed Energy Project Office, noted that while directed energy systems have reached a threshold of reliability, their maintainability remains a critical concern for battlefield deployment. By decoupling the laser from a single vehicle, the Army ensures that if a truck requires repair, the air defense capability can be quickly transferred to another platform. This strategy follows the 2022 reactivation of a laser-armed battalion at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and reflects a broader military trend toward adaptable, low-cost solutions for the evolving threat landscape of drone warfare.
Sources
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